by Aderyn Wood
Casandriella’s smile had waned but now returned in full. “Thank you, Dalendra. It will be a great honour.” The seamstress turned and ran to her friends waiting in a circle. The women huddled close and glanced back as they talked.
Dale put her hands on her hips and looked at Jaral. “Princess?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Haven’t you heard the term before? That’s what daughters of a queen are called, generally. Even on Earth I’ve heard the term is well known.” He winked and smiled, eyes glinting in the firelight.
Dale held his gaze for a little while, and then looked away. Another thing I have to get used to. Princess! She shook her head.
As they walked through the festival several people introduced themselves to her. Some called her Dalendra, others Princess. All were happy to meet her. “We’re so relieved you’re here finally,” one said to her. Another gave her a silver bracelet. Its intricate designs of waterfalls and birds matched those of the palace. Dale put it on and admired it as she walked. Maybe being a princess won’t be so bad.
“So this prophecy, is it written somewhere?”
Jaral stopped and lowered his voice. “It is, but few have seen it with their own eyes. We all know something of it.”
Dale started to ask another question, but Jaral stalled her, placing a finger to her lips. “No more questions about that tonight. I think it’s another discussion for your mother.”
Dale sighed and looked down. Jaral moved his finger along her cheek, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. The gesture ignited her blush, instantly. Turning, she put her head up and walked on.
“So what do you think that talk about a traitor was all about?” she asked. He hadn’t moved his eyes from her.
He shrugged his shoulders. “Somehow the Unseelie seem to know about you. Rhys seems to think that someone may have tipped them off. Unless he’s leading us up the wrong mountain path.”
Dale frowned. “What do you mean?”
Jaral shook his head. “Nothing. Come – may I have this dance, m’lady?”
“Ah …” but before she had a chance to reply he swung her out onto the lawn. She laughed as he twirled her about and then took her in his arms and led her around with great expertise. Esme saw her and clapped her little hands excitedly.
“You’re a dancer as well as a sorcerer?” Dale breathed.
“All good sorcerers are dancers.”
When the music ended he bowed deeply and kissed her hand. “It was a pleasure,” he said.
Dale laughed.
The music changed to a slower ballad.
“May I have this dance?”
Dale turned. It was Rhys. He stood there with his dark eyes, dark expression, staring at Jaral.
“Who me?” Jaral asked. “I would be flattered.”
Rhys grimaced. “I meant Dale.”
“Well, ask her,” Jaral snarled back.
Rhys shifted his eyes to her.
“Ah, okay,” she said uneasily.
Rhys took her hand, and led her to the lawn where other couples danced slowly, looking lovingly into their partners’ eyes. Rhys’s hand was warm. She remembered that day in the library when he tried to get her to stay, his touch had been warm then too.
He took her in his arms and led her around. She felt his stare on her the whole time and she did her best not to blush but as usual it had a life of its own.
“Do you like it here?”
Dale glanced at him, then looked away as she nodded. “Yes, very much.”
“What do you like?” His voice was deeper than she remembered.
“The people are so welcoming. And I’ve met my true mother. I know it sounds crazy but I feel I really belong here. I even have a friend.” She felt him tense.
“Be careful of Jaral. He’s quite the charmer.”
She wondered what he meant but she wanted to find out about other things, from the past.
“That thing that happened at school, the video, did you …”
“Dale.” She melted a little when he said her name. “I had nothing to do with it. I’m sorry. I was still very new then. I really didn’t have a good grasp of the technology. I didn’t realise what they were doing.”
She nodded slowly. “Why were you there at all? At St Nino’s?”
“To protect you. Gareth he – needed help.” His eyes bored into hers. She looked away again, thankful for the growing darkness as she felt her blush spread.
“I had another mission, too, but I ought not speak of it yet.”
“Oh.”
Rhys tensed his arms. “I suppose they told you, about – us?”
Dale nodded. “We were swapped.”
He cleared his throat. “Some say it creates a bond – a connection.” He stopped dancing to look at her. “I certainly feel it.”
Dale took a shuddering breath. Can I feel it?
The music stopped and he led her off the lawn. The next song was more upbeat and Jaral grabbed her hand. “Come, m’lady, I’ll show you how it’s done.”
She glanced back at Rhys as Jaral pulled her toward the music. He grimaced then stalked off into the night.
31
Dale felt movement at the foot of her bed. She jolted up to see her mother patting Cat. The feline stretched his paws and sniffed the queen’s hand then gave it a good licking. The queen giggled.
“He likes you.” Dale stretched.
“I can see. He’s a lovely creature.”
Dale laughed. “He has his moments.”
Cat arched his back and walked up to Dale, purring.
“He’s been a good companion to you, even protecting you, I hear.”
“Yes. He warned me about the hawk once. He has stuck with me since Gareth …” Dale put her head down and patted Cat. His purring always comforted. Her mother touched her hand and she looked up.
“Gareth was a great man – a great sorcerer once. I will be eternally thankful to him for looking out for you all these years.”
“I only met him when I was twelve. He was an old homeless man to me then, nothing more, but he became my only friend.”
Her mother smiled. “He was looking out for you before you met him. You just didn’t know it.”
Dale frowned. “How come Rhys came to Glasgow? He said it was to protect me, but if Gareth was already there, and Ness wasn’t far, did I really need Rhys?”
Anwyn stood and reached for a brush. She sat beside Dale, turned her head and began brushing her daughter’s hair. It felt nice. Dale thought of Victoria, who never would have done this.
“Rhys was looking out for you, yes. He has become a formidable sorcerer, you know. Unfortunately Gareth had succumbed to some of the temptations of the Earthens, and wasn’t as fit as he once was.”
Dale bit her lip. “I know. Ness told me.”
“But he still protected you and he did it with his life in the end.”
Cat meowed and rubbed his head against Dale’s hand. She patted him.
“He knows Gareth’s name. All hysbryds know their masters’ names. He still misses Gareth deeply.”
Dale gave Cat more pats and watched as he pawed at her lap and curled up for more sleep.
“Do you have a hysbryd, Mother?”
Anwyn smiled. “Yes, of course. You have met her – Stella, the horse who brought you to us.”
“She’s beautiful. I didn’t know how to ride a horse at all before I came here, and she kind of taught me.”
The queen sighed. “Of course I don’t spend as much time with her as I would like. My duties take so much time.”
“Will I have a hysbryd one day?” Dale asked.
Her mother nodded. “I expect so.”
“Mother?” The word still felt unnatural to her, but Dale forced herself to say it. The more she said it the faster she’d get used to it. “What’s so special about me? I mean all this effort, with Gareth protecting me, and Ness and Rhys. I heard what the councillors said yesterday, that I am a secret. It seems like they think of me as a
secret weapon of some kind.”
Her mother stopped brushing her hair and sat on the bed in front of her, putting Dale’s hands in her own. Dale looked at her face. Her skin was a luminescent white, her eyes large and blue, her hair so golden. Dale found it hard to believe that such a beauty was her mother. Especially when she looked at her delicate ears, pointed so sharply.
“My daughter, you are no weapon. You are a person who has been prophesised to have great gifts.”
”This prophecy. What is it? Where is it?“
“The prophecy has been in our keeping, the Seelies’ keeping for many lifetimes. It has been guarded carefully. If it fell into the wrong hands ...” She looked to the balcony.
“You mean the Unseelie?“
Anwyn returned her gaze. “Yes, or one of their ilk.“
“Like Pastor Richard?”
“Especially Ricardo.” The queen sighed. “The prophecy is written. We house it here and protect it. And it in turn will protect us. That is why we must keep it secret.”
“So I am a part of it?” Dale yearned to know more.
“You, my daughter, are at the very centre.”
Dale swallowed.
“I don’t want to alarm you, Dalendra. I know you want to learn more. And soon, I promise, I will take you to the prophecy and you can see for yourself. You will learn what it says then. Your gifts will be far superior to any who have come before you, bar one.” Her mother looked over the valley, and Dale thought she saw a glint of grief in her eyes. Dale’s curiosity burned with dissatisfaction.
“Who?”
“Hmm?” Her mother dragged her attention back to the room.
“Who was the one who had special gifts?”
“Oh.” She waved her hand. “That was a long time ago.” She stood.
“What about my father then,” Dale blurted. “Can you tell me who he is?”
“Your father is here, in the Borderlands.”
“In?”
Her mother nodded. “He is here – I feel him – but much time has passed since I saw him last.”
Dale sensed sadness within her mother, a deep pain. “Do you think I will meet him?”
The queen smiled then. “I hope so, but it all depends on him. Come, you are to start your lessons.”
Dale stood with her legs shoulder length apart in the combat hall. Sa’r Conaril walked the hall between the students. There were five of them, all new to combating, like she was. Two others were also new to the Borderlands. They came from Dryadalis. One of them was a girl, Agathina, who looked about the same age as Dale. The master had asked them to introduce themselves at the start of the lesson. Agathina had smiled at Dale when she said her name. Dale smiled back.
“What is the first lesson? What must be mastered first in combat?” Sa’r Conaril studied the students. Agathina pulled at a braid and looked sidelong out the window. Dale bit her lip. I don’t know, she thought.
“Hentiel, what do you think?”
“Ahh.” The boy was clearly uncomfortable. Hentiel was also from Dryadalis. He and Agathina both had the typical elfish features of the Dryadalins – like almost everyone else in Arcadia. Dale wondered how old he was. It was difficult to tell with their race. They aged differently to Earthens, Jaral had told her. They lived long lives and took time to develop and mature into adulthood. Hentiel looked about twelve by her standards but he was probably much older.
“To swallow your fear?” the boy answered bravely.
The combat leader smiled. “Fear is a friend in battle. It keeps you alert, but you must control it. An important lesson, but not the first.”
Hentiel smiled, as though happy he had said something of importance.
“Dalendra, what do you think? What is the first lesson?” Sa’r Conaril looked at her with something like expectation in his eyes. They all think I have power, a special gift, she thought, but I know nothing.
“Ah, I’m sorry, Sa’r, I do not know what the first lesson is.”
Was it disappointment or surprise that she saw on his face?
He took a deep breath and then breathed out slowly. He did it again and they watched in wonder.
“The breath,” he said. “The first lesson is to learn how to breathe.”
Dale recalled her little book on meditations. She had left it in Joy, maybe she should have brought it with her.
The master went through the lessons of breathing and the students followed diligently. Sa’r Conaril saw that Dale had already mastered it, which made her feel better for him. Maybe that is my special gift. I’m a quick learner, but this is an easy lesson to learn.
After the combat lesson they broke for lunch and Agathina sat by Dale in the hall. They dined on smoked eel in an oily marinade, fresh bread and goat’s cheese. The rose water was sweet and Dale decided it was her new favourite drink. Agathina talked about her entry to the Borderlands.
“Hentiel and I lost each other,” she said, her yellow eyes wide. “I had to walk through a vast desert for days without food and drink. It was awful!”
“That would have been your test. The Borderlands test us before we gain acceptance,” Dale replied and explained it the way Jaral had told her.
The afternoon brought their first lesson in sorcery. Dale and Agathina were excited.
“I wonder if we’ll be able to make one of those crystals come to light,” Agathina said.
Master Aethyll walked around them in much the same way Sa’r Conaril had.
“And what do you suppose is the first lesson of sorcery?” he asked. Someone answered ’breathing’ and he was right. They did breathing all over again.
“How was your first day of lessons?” Jaral asked. They met at the lake in the afternoon. Dale took Agathina along. They sat along the shore, their feet cooling in the water.
“Well, let’s just say we’re feeling a little out of breath.”
Jaral laughed. “Breathing?”
The girls nodded.
“Yes, the first lessons, I remember them. They are as tedious as they are important. But eventually you will move on to more interesting things, like this.” Jaral concentrated on a spot in the water. Dale followed his line of vision to the centre of the lake. Was there bubbling there, or a fish? Suddenly a jet stream of water bolted out of the lake. It reached up to about ten feet before it fell over them bringing a rain of water with it.
Dale and Agathina laughed. The cool drops felt nice in the afternoon sunshine.
“Impressive. Yes that’s what I’ve always dreamed of doing, making my own water feature.”
Jaral splashed her and she splashed back. There was a moment of calm as the three of them moved slowly, further into the water. Dale broke first, splashing both Jaral and Agathina with armfuls of water. Then it was on, a white wash of water, and after a heartbeat all three were soaked, their linen shirts dripping. Jaral finished it by pushing both girls into the lake. Dale dived and grabbed Jaral’s foot, lifting it and sending him off balance. Then she stood and pushed him in the water. Agathina laughed and clapped her hands.
“That’ll teach him,” Dale said between laughs, but sucked in her breath when her own feet went out from under her and she found herself in Jaral’s arms.
“Put me down, Jaral. I think we’re even now.”
“I beg to differ, m’lady. But I think I’ll save my revenge for another time.” His violet eyes squinted. “Careful, Dale, you’re blushing again. I’m beginning to think you like me.”
Dale covered her eyes with her hands as Jaral laughed and threw her into the water. The coolness on her hot face brought welcome relief.
After their swim they dried off on the warm rocks that banked the lake. It wasn’t long before hunger moved them on and Dale invited them to the palace.
They found the war council was still in session when the three of them reached the terrace. They’ve had a long day.
There appeared to be some kind of debate going on. Master Aethyll was pushing for them to take the battle to the Earthe
ns. “This is obviously where most of the trouble is.”
Sa’r Conaril disagreed. “Have you seen the Verge in recent times? We’ve lost many miles of territory. The war is here, my friend – in the Borderlands.”
The queen spoke. “Rhys, you’ve lived amongst the Earthens. What do you think? Should we keep our battle here or take it there?”
Dale spied Rhys. He sat with the other councillors in the circle, chewing his lip in thought. He must be a member.
“It’s hard to say. There’s a great sense of apathy in that place. It would be difficult to take the battle there as the enemy is not visible. I’m afraid the Earthens and the Unseelie have become accustomed to the fabric of that world and it would be difficult for us to know where to begin.”
The queen’s eyes skipped to Dale, and she raised an eyebrow.
“I think Sa’r Conaril may be right.” Rhys continued, “Perhaps we should begin our offensive here, but also begin strategising for how we can set the balance right on Earth.”
There seemed to be general agreement about this and the queen called for a recess. “We shall make our final decision tomorrow.”
The council broke and Dale, Jaral and Agathina walked through the terrace.
“Mother, is it all right if I invite some friends to supper?”
Her mother smiled and touched her cheek. “Of course it is. I am delighted you have found friends so quickly, although you better be careful with this one.” She tugged on Jaral’s ear.
Dale looked back at Rhys but he was gone, his empty chair surrounded by other councillors as they talked over recent events.
The days that followed took on a kind of routine. Dale had combat lessons in the morning and sorcery in the afternoon. The breathing lessons continued for another two days, until everyone had mastered them. It was exciting in combat when they progressed to balance. Dale surprised herself because she was very good. It was probably due to her sailing experience.
In sorcery they progressed to aura reading and Dale already knew about this too. She said as much to the master and he tested her. When he found her to be right, his eyes widened and she even wondered herself whether it was proof that she was special.